Strategies to Become a Summer- Lovin’ Snow White

A lot of my own personal beauty perspective can be summed as "you be you", and in that spirit, I have always foregone is the use of bronzer, self-tanner,and contouring products in my makeup routine, even *gasp* during the summer. What makes this seem particularly egregious is that I am very pale and have a very strong cool undertone. So in a sense, it almost feels like a civic duty that I must have a “healthy glow”or do anything to make my skin look like the sun had drenched me in a shower of kisses. Although, for some of us if the sun were to actually give us said shower, we would be red as a lobster and peeling painfully. Thus, any product designed to make someone appear more tan just looks completely unconvincing and unflattering on me, like I traded my skin in for a brown paper bag or a melted creamsicle. And I know I'm not alone here.

Another part of my lack of desire for bronzing products, I'm sure,is my resentment toward summer itself: I live in a humid climate that gets especially unbearable in the rising temperatures:I don't like fruit, especially summer fruit;I am also not a fan of the beach and am afraid of the water, which means no ocean adventures or pool parties for me either. Yet, in spite of my protests,it is only the first of May, and I'm already really feeling the heat. So at least in my makeup routine, I am trying to find ways to embrace the approaching season by incorporating some summery elements into my aesthetic while remaining true to my preferences.

Buy a Colorful Eyeshadow or Eyeliner: Summer is a wonderful time to play with bright, fun color. I might be inclined to finally break over and buy that shimmery lavender eyeshadow I've been wanting. But if playing with color all over the eyelid is not your thing, you can always do a neutral eyeshadow look but just add a pop of funky color (like teal or amethyst or any color you want) as an eyeliner on the lowerlash line. Or else, try a warmer-toned metallic eyeliner in a gilded bronze or reddish copper shade. These subtle additions will add vibrancy and life to the face without changing your skintone at all.

Remember There are Different Tones of Glow: Just because I reject bronzers and tanners, doesn't mean I can't add a bit of glow to my skin in some other way. I'm really keen on trying more highlighters this year but in tones that would suit pale, cool-undertoned skin, like an opal pink, a pale champagne, or a moonlight sort of white luminescence. This will impart some of the freshness and dewiness to the skin to keep with the season. Also, never forget the power of blush and how they are great alternatives to bronzers. The whole point of bronzers , after all,is to add color and dimension to the face, which is especially important in the harsh light of the blaring summer sun that blurs the structure of our faces. A pretty peach, pink, or rose blush will have the same effect on us pale ladies in keeping features in balance.

Get Back Into Nail Polish: I rarely ever paint my nails these days, but I am interested in getting back into it, Wearing a warmer-toned color on my nails that I wouldn’t normally choose for makeup on my face, such as terracotta or a brassy gold, adds an ever-so-slight impression of warmth to my look but not in a way that looks extreme or unnatural with fairer or cooler coloring. With summer being the season of short sleeves and open-toed shoes, the nails are more on show, so painting them will be nice. I'm thinking the more fun and funkier the color, the better by doing a shade like lime green, neon orange, or flamingo pink.

With the sunshiny weather and carefree breezes, summer is a wonderful time to sail away from our comfort zones. Out of all these tips today, I think I am most excited about trying that shimmering lavender eyeshadow and painting my nails lime green. But whether you will also add a bronzer to your summer makeup look or, like me, never will, always remember that makeup, much like summer, is all about fun, and I hope you have as much fun as I will in inventing your own summer trends.